In an effort to aqquire more space for university programs, and possibly further development in the future, the Board of Regents approved a proposal to purchase the Alumni House from the University of Washington Alumni Association (UWAA) for an estimated price of $1.8 million yesterday afternoon.

The now-vacant building, which is located on the corner of Northeast 45th Street and 15th Avenue Northeast, has served as a home for the UWAA for many years. However, this August, the association moved into a section of the UW Tower because they needed a bigger space.

“[The building] was no longer meeting our business needs,” said Paul Rucker, the executive director of the UWAA.

Though the UWAA is a private, non-profit organization, its leaders have been working in a close partnership with the university during the last 10 years and thought moving into the UW Tower, where other university offices are located, would be more beneficial for both entities.

“We felt that the collaboration and the opportunity to serve alums would be better if we were all together,” Rucker said.

The UWAA agreed to give the university first priority to make an offer on the Alumni House property.

Jeanette Henderson, the director of the UW Real Estate Office, said the UWAA’s move has given the university a great chance to expand its offices near campus.

The Alumni House contains 13,200 square feet of available office space and 18 underground parking stalls.

It hasn’t yet been decided which specific programs will occupy the building in the coming year, Henderson said, but her proposal notes that its short-term use is to house university programs, while its long-term use is to create potential development opportunities.

This is one of several land acquisitions the university has secured in the last few years. The University came under ownership of the former Safeco building, now UW Tower, in April 2008. The University also recently purchased the Cavalier Apartment building, located on Brooklyn Avenue Northeast and Northeast Campus Parkway, in January 2009 to be demolished to make way for a new residence hall.

The Real Estate Office will manage the occupancy of the Alumni House, but the university’s Facilities Services Office will handle its operation and maintenance. The costs of both services will be factored into the costs of rent, which will be paid for by the departments who occupy the space.

A building condition assessment of the Alumni House was completed earlier this year in order to determine an appropriate purchase price. Additionally, a Phase-1 environmental assessment was conducted of the property, and no major issues were noted.

“We’re still evaluating whether or not a second assessment will be necessary,” Henderson said.

According to the Finance, Audit and Facilities Committee there will be no financing on this transaction and normal closing costs are expected. The $1.8-million price will be covered by UW funds.

“We’re anticipating closing in the January to February time frame,” Henderson said.

The Alumni House was constructed in 1962 and does not sit on any local, state or federal historic registers. It was originally designed to be a faith-based center for students.

Reach reporter Katie McVicker at news@dailyuw.com.